Wat Mahawan

Temple

Wat Mahawan in Chiang Mai's old city features Lanna-style ordination halls, a gilded chedi and daily monk rituals; visitors typically combine temple visits with markets and nearby street food.

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In this guide

Wat Mahawan essentials

Country: Thailand
Driest months: Dec-Feb
Pay in: Baht (฿)
Language: Thai
Emergency: 191

Wat Mahawan at a Glance

Wat Mahawan sits just outside the west gate of Lamphun’s old city. Though less frequently visited than Wat Hariphunchai and Wat Chama Thevi, it is thought to date back more than a thousand years, and it lies directly between the other two temples, so it is well worth dropping by on the way.

There are no ancient relics here apart from a small black Buddha image called the Phra Rot Luang, housed in the viharn. The temple’s most striking feature is its trio of fearsome nagas guarding the steps up to the viharn, their snarling mouths lined with lethal-looking pointed teeth and their writhing postures making them appear about to pounce. A tall, slender bell tower stands in a lush tropical garden.

Things to Do
When to Go

Best Time to Visit Wat Mahawan

Visit Chiang Mai's temples in the cool, dry season (November-February) for the most pleasant sightseeing conditions.

Cool, dry season
Nov-Feb · 15-30°C
Pleasant daytime temperatures and cleaner air make temple visits and walking the old city most enjoyable.
Hot season
Mar-May · 25-40°C
Very hot days - plan temple visits for early morning or late afternoon to avoid peak heat.
Wet/monsoon season
May-Oct · 24-33°C
Afternoon storms are frequent and can interrupt sightseeing; some rural temple roads may be affected.

Weather & Climate near Wat Mahawan

Climate

Wat Mahawan's climate is classified as Tropical Savanna - Tropical Savanna climate with hot summers (peaking in April) and warm winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 13°C to 36°C. Moderate rainfall (954 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.

Air Quality: AQI 91 Moderate
Best Time to Visit
FebruaryJanuaryDecember
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
42°
Warmest Month
5°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Ideal 13° - 30° 21° 2 mm mostly sunny 65% 0.8 m/s 1.4 high 11.0h
February Ideal 15° - 33° 24° 5 mm mostly sunny 54% 0.8 m/s 1.7 very high 11.4h
March Excellent 19° - 35° 28° 19 mm mostly sunny 49% 1.0 m/s 1.9 very high 11.9h
April Very Good 22° - 36° 31° 45 mm some cloud 53% 1.3 m/s 2.1 extreme 12.4h
May Acceptable 23° - 34° 33° 151 mm overcast 73% 1.2 m/s 2.1 extreme 12.9h
June Good 24° - 33° 32° 106 mm overcast 79% 1.1 m/s 1.9 very high 13.1h
July Good 23° - 32° 31° 114 mm overcast 81% 1.1 m/s 1.9 very high 13.0h
August Acceptable 23° - 31° 31° 168 mm overcast 85% 1.1 m/s 1.8 very high 12.6h
September Acceptable 23° - 31° 31° 177 mm overcast 87% 0.7 m/s 1.8 very high 12.1h
October Good 22° - 31° 26° 114 mm overcast 85% 0.7 m/s 1.6 very high 11.6h
November Excellent 18° - 30° 24° 45 mm some cloud 80% 0.7 m/s 1.5 very high 11.2h
December Ideal 14° - 28° 21° 8 mm mostly sunny 73% 0.7 m/s 1.4 high 10.9h
Getting There & Around

How to Get to Wat Mahawan

Wat Mahawan is inside Chiang Mai’s old city. From Chiang Mai’s main transport hubs (the Arcade Bus Terminal or Chiang Mai Railway Station) take a short songthaew/tuk‑tuk ride or walk; from Tha Phae Gate the temple is roughly a 10-15 minute walk into the old‑city area where the temple is located.